Nature Club News for November 2026
by John Dickson
The November speaker presentation for Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) will feature ‘Surprises of Ground-nesting Bees!’ with Dr.Susan Chan introducing us to the most diverse group of wild bees in North America. Did you know that 70% of all bee species nest in the ground! Join us to learn about their fascinating life history, social organization, life cycle, and phenology as well as their ecology and importance in pollination. Discover how a specific ground nesting bee – the hoary squash bee – has played an intricate role in ancient and modern human food systems and culture.
Dr. Susan Chan is an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph. She is an agroecologist and pollination biologist with expertise in the ecology of ground-nesting bees, especially the hoary squash bee.
Susan is an internationally regarded expert in the field of ground nesting pollinators and has presented and participated in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) international forums on ecology. Susan is also a beekeeper, a poet and a much sought after presenter. She lives and works in Peterborough County.
This event is scheduled to take place at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm ) Thursday November 12, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Admission is by donation (free for OSFN members), and everyone is welcome.
If you are unable to attend in person, it will also be available on Zoom, and you can register for the Zoom meeting with this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/queHcePtT9iITgTX9r6rpw
More information about the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, including upcoming field trips and raffles, is available at https://owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/
For me the magic of November is displayed by the local tamarack trees now adorned in their golden wardrobe, and the nifty trick the red-capped Chipping Sparrows do by departing just as the also red-capped American Tree Sparrows (nicknamed Winter Chippings) arrive for the winter. The main field mark I look for is the bi-coloured beak of the new arrivals.
I have especially enjoyed the various trails of the Healing Path of NeighbourWoods North all year, as well as the meadowlarks, the diversity of tree species, and wildflowers too.
Lloyd Lewis shared this wrap up of NeighbourWoods North in 2026: “Another NeighbourWoods North ( NWN ) volunteer planting season at the Owen Sound Brightshores hospital has drawn to a close. Each of the past 9 years has built onto each other, adding layers of naturalization and structure to the 28 acre grounds. This Fall was no different, with 60 trees and shrubs planted throughout and thousands of small trees weeded, mulched and wrapped. Pathways were enhanced and especially the 250m north trail through a mature wood lot was smoothed out and mulched, making it a very inviting and peaceful area to walk. In addition, in the SE corner of the property, the overflow pond was extensively replanted and mulched, eventually creating a natural space for wildlife. With approximately 2 km of trails available, NWN is delighted to increasingly see more staff and community using the pathways. Furthermore, they are thrilled to, next year, add more interpretative signage and bespoke benches for relaxation and moments of reflection. Hopefully, these gardens are a legacy that will mature and last with time, for current and future generations to enjoy.”
It has been a special treat for me to see the progress of Owen Sound’s newest mural, by Sarah McComb-Turbitt, adorning the east wall of Intersections Wood Collaborative, with amazing depictions of seven local woodpeckers, to complement the woodworking activities taking place ‘inside’ at Intersections, located at 3rd Avenue East and Tenth Street.
Her knowledge, training, skills, and talent bring both excitement and subtlety to each of the featured specimens selected from many submitted photographs. Sarah says: “Thank you to my partners on this project: Intersections Wood Collaborative, Owen Sound Field Naturalists, Owen Sound River District, and Owen Sound Hubbub.
And to our wonderful wildlife photographers: Red-headed Woodpecker by Robert Lee, Downy Woodpecker by John Matthews, Northern Flicker by John Dickson, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Rob Wray, Hairy Woodpecker by Nigel Eves, Red-bellied Woodpecker by Les Anderson, and Pileated Woodpecker by Rachel Moore RM Photography. THANK YOU for sharing your incredible photography with us all!” Be sure to check it out..
Owen Sound Young Naturalists – by Amanda Eriksen
The October meeting was held at Bognor Marsh this year due to the Halloween Haunt taking place at Harrison Park. We watched a demonstration of how Conservation Authorities would sample rivers (done by my son) explaining why they do it and what they are looking for. We then went out along the boardwalk and looked for invertebrates to put under the microscopes.
With help from some handy identification sheets, and my insect book as well as iNaturalist, the kids were able to identify the invertebrates we found. Some highlights were crayfish, grasshoppers, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, a scud, blood worms, snails, small clams and dragonflies laying their eggs! We had 10 kids out with four new families joining the club with a total of 19 kids registered for the program. Our November meeting is planned to be a hike at Inglis Falls to do a “winter is coming” scavenger hunt with compasses and learn about strategies animals use to prepare for winter survival. To learn more contact Amanda at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com
The Friends of the Museum will present David Turner and the Birds of Central America, at 7pm, Thursday November 19, at the Annesley United Church in Markdale. An evening of Feathers, Fun and Photography too, with one of my favourite birders. You can learn more at the Friends website here https://friendsofthesouthgreymuseum.ca/
To close, some Autumn Nature quotes from Jean Craighead George’s “My Side of the Mountain” a 1959 classic which I have only recently discovered: “September blazed a trail into the mountains….Then she frosted the aspen leaves and left them sunshine yellow…” And, at Hallowe’en… “The moon is coming up behind the aspens. It is as big as a pumpkin, and as orange…The winds are cool…The last bat of the season darted in the moonlight….”